ABSTRACT
The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of hepatoprotective agents added to diets containing different energy sources on the metabolic status of lactating dairy cows in confinement. Sixteen Holstein × Gir crossbred midlactation cows with a body weight of 553 ± 85 kg were included in this feeding trial. These animals were arranged in a 4 × 4 Latin square experimental design. A 2 × 2 factorial arrangement was employed in this feeding experiment. Experimental treatments consisted of the administration of diets supplemented with a hepatoprotectant and diets without hepatoprotectant. These diets contained varying amounts of ground corn or citrus pulp as energy sources. Serum markers for energy metabolism and proteins were evaluated and liver enzymes were measured. Blood samples were collected in the morning before (0 h) and 4 h after the animals were fed these diets. There was no interaction between the hepatoprotective agent and the dietary energy sources for the metabolic status variables. Ground corn as an energy source yielded higher serum concentrations of glucose, HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, and globulins, whereas b-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), total cholesterol, albumin, and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) yielded the highest concentrations in diets containing citrus pulp. There was interaction between time and hepatoprotective agent in serum LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol concentration. The present study shows that ground corn diets increased the synthesis of glucogenic nutrients, whereas citrus pulp used as an energy source altered the lipid status of lactating cows. The hepatoprotective agent increased postprandial serum LDL cholesterol levels.
Subject(s)
Diet , Lactation , Animal Feed/analysis , Animals , Cattle , Diet/veterinary , Dietary Supplements , Energy Metabolism , Female , Milk , Rumen , Zea maysABSTRACT
Resumo A homeopatia pode ser utilizada na pecuária leiteira como uma alternativa segura aos antibióticos, capaz de reduzir a expansão da resistência microbiana, ao passo que mantém a saúde dos rebanhos. No entanto, os compostos homeopáticos podem também ser usados como protetores do fígado, podendo atuar na modulação da função hepática. Os medicamentos homeopáticos a base de plantas podem ser utilizados como agentes hepatoprotetores, uma vez que possuem a capacidade de prevenir e reparar desordens hepáticas que comumente acometem vacas em lactação. Assim, o conhecimento das propriedades terapêuticas de plantas permite a elaboração de preparos homeopáticos, capazes de preservar a saúde dos animais de produção. Baseado nisso, objetivou-se com esta revisão discorrer sobre compostos vegetais utilizados na homeopatia como hepatoprotetores e seus efeitos no metabolismo hepático e na resposta produtiva de animais ruminantes em lactação.
Abstract Homeopathy can be used in dairy farming as a safe alternative to antibiotics, capable of reducing the expansion of microbial resistance, while maintaining the health of herds. However, homeopathic compounds can also be used as liver protectors, and can act in the modulation of liver function. Herbal homeopathic medicines can be used as hepatoprotective agents, since they have the ability to prevent and repair liver disorders that commonly affect lactating cows. Thus, knowledge of the therapeutic properties of plants allows the preparation of homeopathic preparations, capable of preserving the health of farm animals. Based on this, the aim of this review was to discuss plant compounds used in homeopathy as hepatoprotectors and their effects on liver metabolism and on the productive response of lactating ruminant animals.
Resumen La homeopatía se puede utilizar en la producción lechera como una alternativa segura a los antibióticos, capaz de reducir la expansión de la resistencia microbiana, manteniendo la salud de los rebaños. Sin embargo, los compuestos homeopáticos también pueden usarse como protectores del hígado y pueden actuar en la modulación de la función hepática. Los medicamentos homeopáticos a base de hierbas se pueden utilizar como agentes hepatoprotectores, ya que tienen la capacidad de prevenir y reparar los trastornos hepáticos que comúnmente afectan a las vacas lactantes. Así, el conocimiento de las propiedades terapéuticas de las plantas permite la elaboración de preparados homeopáticos, capaces de preservar la salud de los animales de granja. En base a esto, el objetivo de esta revisión es discutir los compuestos vegetales utilizados en homeopatía como hepatoprotectores y sus efectos sobre el metabolismo hepático y la respuesta productiva de los rumiantes lactantes.
